Kerstin Donat

When you’re not in class, how do you spend your time?One of my passions is giving other students a voice and making campus better. I’m doing that through my involvement with Student Senate as diversity interest senator-at-large, as the European ambassador for the International Student Association, and by founding the TEDx Club at Drake with some of my closest friends. It’s so easy to make a difference at Drake, something I know I couldn’t do at a larger university.

You’re also on the rowing team—what’s that like?I had never rowed before in my life, but I love to stay active. It can be pretty competitive since we are a NCAA Division I team, but it’s fun, too. I’ve learned so much about teamwork—just because you row harder doesn’t mean you’ll win; everybody has to pull together. We’re a really tight team.

What’s your favorite Drake memory so far?During Drake Relays, my friends and I got to paint a square on Painted Street. There was a paint fight, and the whole experience was probably one of the most fun things I’ve done. Plus, you feel proud when you’re walking down Painted Street knowing you have a square there.